1972 R60/5/6

Discuss all things 1970 & later Airheads right here.
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czdiver
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 7:02 pm

1972 R60/5/6

Post by czdiver »

I have a 1972 R60/5/6. My youngest son (34) has been ridding to work while his wife's Yukon is in the body shop. While coming home from work in the car pool lane the engine started to stutter, needless to say he got safely to the side of the road before it stopped running.
At this point the bike will start while on the center stand but set it on its wheels ( in neutral) and the engine quits.
The idiot lights stay lit the engine cranks and will fire but not stay running, ruff idle then quits like a fuel problem but Bings are getting fuel.

czdiver

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Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 4:02 pm
Kurt in S.A.
Posts: 1709
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:08 pm

Re: 1972 R60/5/6

Post by Kurt in S.A. »

Welcome! Just curious, why do you tag this as a /5/6? Are there /6 parts on the bike?

I think the quitting while on the wheels versus the centerstand is circumstantial. That doesn't make a lot of sense. But I'd check the valve clearances. Rough idle is s symptom of the valve clearances closing up. You might also crack the gas cap to be sure that fuel is indeed flowing...sometimes a vacuum can build in the tank as fuel exits, eventually the fuel flow stops.

The "idiot" lights seem troubling but that could just be that your RPMs aren't high enough. All lights, except the neutral light, should go out by at least 1500 RPM. If not, and if the charging light is still on, then you have a charging problem. You may need to verify that the battery is good; check that all grounds are healthy and clean.

Kurt in S.A.
Kurt in S.A.
Posts: 1709
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:08 pm

Re: 1972 R60/5/6

Post by Kurt in S.A. »

Interesting...the front page says this forum is locked?? Obviously not as I just posted. :?:

Kurt in S.A.
Major Softie
Posts: 8900
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:46 pm

Re: 1972 R60/5/6

Post by Major Softie »

Things that come to my mind that haven't been mentioned:

Big piece of crud in fuel line or pickup slowing fuel to a trickle:
First thing try switching to Reserve.
Second thing check fuel flow with line pulled off carb.

Points not opening correctly (worn rub block) or something somehow got into points:
Check

Timing shifted due to loose fasteners or broken counterweight springs:
Check while checking points
MS - out
Rob
Posts: 3105
Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2014 2:05 am

Re: 1972 R60/5/6

Post by Rob »

This might be a good time to drain the tank and drop both petcocks (after the flow test, of course) and see what is in the bottom of the tank.

I emptied the tank (winter climate) every year, so I rarely accumulated water, and I still had a good, original liner 35 years later.
Rob V
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